Pratt & Whitney Considering Shutting Down Plants
July 22, 2009 by Josh Morgan
Manufacturing giant Pratt & Whitney announced that it will consider shutting down two of its plants, including one in Cheshire.
In a statement released by the company on July 21, Pratt representatives stated that they were “evaluating the closure of some of our overhaul and repair operations,” including the Cheshire Engine Center on Knotter Drive, where 800 workers are employed.
Town Manager Michael Milone explained that the company pays $40,000 in personal property taxes and the Town also receives $96,000 in Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) money in manufacturing exemptions from the state. Milone described the news as “surprising” but believed even if company executives knew of the potential closure, it “probably couldn’t have been conveyed to us.”
As a result of the news, Milone said he e-mailed the Town’s legislative delegation, asking them to “help in anyway they can.” He also said he contacted the state Economic Development Commission to see “what we can do or what they can do on our behalf.”
For the full story, see this week’s Cheshire Herald.